[This service was written for a Children’s Chapel with children and youth from preschool to eighth grade. Feel free to adapt these words and remove components that are not appropriate for your intended use.]

Song

“Gathered Here” (Singing the Living Tradition #389)

Chalice Lighting

[Feel free to choose appropriate chalice lighting words.]

Greetings

Good morning! Stand up and greet your neighbor with a handshake or hug. Stay standing—I’m going to teach you a peace prayer.

Movements to Ghandi’s Peace Prayer

I offer you peace (arms outstretched in front of you with palms facing up)
I offer you friendship (arms outstretched in front of you with hands clasped)
I offer you love (arms crossed over chest)
I see your beauty (touch eyes)
I hear your needs (touch ears)
I feel your feelings (hands touch chest)
My wisdom comes from a higher source (arms reach up, palms facing up)
I honor that source in you (arms outstretched in front of you, palms facing up)
Let us work together (arms outstretched in front of you, hands clasped)

Offering

[Include if appropriate. When the author used this service, the parents of the young people had given them food suitable for donating to a food pantry. Explain the offering—for example, “We are giving to our congregation and to others who need help”—and say what it will be used for.]

Song

“From You I Receive” (Singing the Living Tradition #402)

Introduction

So far this year in Chalice Circle, we have talked about many things. What are some of them? [Let young people call out some themes from previous gatherings.]

We have also learned some songs and some spiritual practices. What are spiritual practices? [Let young people volunteer some definitions. If they have trouble, you can suggest “Things we can do to help us in life and to help us grow on the inside.”]

What are some of the spiritual practices we have learned? [Let young people call out some spiritual practices.]

Today, we will be learning about prayer. Are prayers good or bad? Do you like the word “prayer”? Why or why not?

I wonder where prayers come from? Some come from the Bible: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Some come from other holy books, such as the Torah and the Koran. Some come from other cultures and countries. And many come from people like you and me!

I wonder why people pray?

Samples of some prayers read by young people.

1. Prayers of Thanks:
   For the flowers that bloom about our feet, Father, we thank thee, For tender grass so fresh and sweet, Father, we thank thee, For the song of the bird and hum of bee, For all things fair we hear or see, Father in heaven, we thank Thee. (Emerson)
2. Prayers for Help:
   Dear God, There are many paths to choose from. Please show me the way to go. Amen.
3. Prayers for Healing:
   Dear God, my friend is sick and I don’t want him to be sick. We want to play together. Please make him better. Amen.
4. Prayers of Leaving:
   May the Circle be open but unbroken. May the love of the Goddess be ever in our hearts. Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again. (Starhawk)
5. Prayers of Sadness:
   Dear God, my pet died today. I cried and felt so bad. Is there a pet heaven? Is it the same for people? Will we see each other again? I hope so. Amen.
6. Prayers for Peace:
   O God of many names, Lover of all nations, We pray for peace in our hearts, in our homes, in our nations, in our world.
7. Bedtime Prayers:
   Four corners to my bed, Four angels ’round my head. One to watch and two to pray, and one to keep all fear away. (Jenny Dent)

Wondering Questions

I wonder if prayers are answered?

What do you wonder?

Ways to Pray

If I were to say, “Let us pray,” what would you do? Show me! [Most will bow heads, fold hands, sit quietly.] Yes, that is the way most of us have learned to pray. Some other positions used in prayer are [have young people try each one as you say them]:

• Sitting with arms raised and hands open
• Sitting with hands in lap, palms up or palms down
• Lying on back, eyes open or eyes closed
• Lying on front with forehead to floor
• Standing with head down and eyes closed, then eyes open
• Kneeling with head down and eyes closed, then head level with eyes closed or eyes open
• Standing with head towards the sky and eyes open, then closed
• In a circle facing inward, or facing outward
• In a circle holding hands, or arms around each other, or arms raised overhead holding hands
• In a circle with palms facing, but not touching, your neighbors’ palms. Can you feel each other without touching?

Did you know there are other ways to pray? Can you give me an example? [Listen to examples and have group try each one if appropriate. After a few, do some of the following if not already done]:

• Chants—some people chant their prayers—chants are words or short phrases that repeat over and over, usually to music. Here’s an example: Alleluia, alleluia, amen, amen.
• Songs—some people sing their prayers—sing Amazing Grace, Johnny Appleseed Song
• Meditation
• Walking—slowly, such as in a labyrinth, out in nature, or inside
• Body Prayer

Closing Circle

[Feel free to choose appropriate closing words or chalice extinguishing words.]